Amusement device



May 14, 1968 A. B. COMPTON 3,382,605

AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Oct. 22, 1965 1 FOR SHERIFE Y INVENTOR 4:4 5. COMPTON /(iwm'h-M ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,382,605 AMUSEMENT DEVICE Asa B. Compton, Spencerville, Md., assignor to Funtastic, Inc., a corporation of Virginia Filed Oct. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 501,285 7 Claims. (CI. 46-47) The present invention relates to an amusement or display device of the type wherein rotary motion is imparted to rotatable elements such as pin-wheels, propellers and the like, by reciprocal pulsating energy applied to their support.

It has long been known that a pin-wheel, or similar rotatable object, mounted on a pin supported by a notched stick or other support can be used to rotate, simply by rubbing another stick or equivalent element across the notches to cause a seriesof directional impulses to be imparted to the support. The velocity and direction of rotation also can be controlled 'by controlling the energy input and/or by exercising certain types of control over the energy that is imparted to the support. If the support is restrained against lateral movement in one direction during the pulse imparting effort, but is free to vibrate or move impulsively in the opposite direction, rotation of the pin-wheel will be normally in a certain direction. If the conditions are reversed, the rotary motion of the wheel or propeller normally will be in the opposite direction. However, motion once started can be continued in the same direction in some cases even if the pulsation control is changed. Also, if the rubbing stick or other element drops neatly into the notches as it passes them in sequence, fitting them reasonably well, the energy imparted, and consequently, the rate of rotation may be much greater than if the pulse generating contact, notch by notch, is more shallow or more casual.

In the past, devices of this type have usually had the wheel or propeller mounted on a pin, tack or slender nail, etc., driven into the end of the stick or support which also bears the notches. The shaft or support parts have usually been made of wood, because wood can be shaped, notched, etc., so readily, even by those who are relatively unskilled. However, when devices are to be used for some purposes, such as advertising and display, wood has certain disadvantages. It has a porous surface, usually quite irregular when viewed in detail or when its surface is magnified. It is not receptive to small neat printed matter, applied from type, for example.'In fact, wood is not readily cut or turned to precise dimensions or accurate shapes. A turned round stick, for example, usually is not really round because the wood has a variablehardness at different grain positions and it resists cutting more at some points in rotation about its axis than it does at others. In addition, a turned wooden shaft, for example, is a relatively expensive part, compared to some other materials, particularly in cases where it is desired to manufacture small display or amusement devices in quantity for giving away as souvenirs, or for mass advertising and the like. For fairs, conventions, carnivals, and the like, or in advertising or election campaigns, demonstrations, etc., it is desirable to be able to distribute small attention catching or amusement devices, souvenirs, etc., at a mass production cost that is extremely low, for example of the order of a penny or two apiece. This is not possible with turned wooden sticks as essential parts in the United States at the present time. One object of the present invention is to so design the parts and select materials for them that the cost limitations in this range can be met.

Another object is to make the device of material which can be readily and neatly printed.

Patented May 14, 1968 Another object is to improve attractiveness of the device over those of the prior art by mounting multiple rotating elements on a single support in such a way as to obtain attractive and entrancing visual effects, such as stroboscopic effects and the like, while keeping the structure simple, cheap but effective and durable for its purpose. Still another object is to facilitate production of such devices in a simple machinery by use of a cheap, readily available material which has more desirable surface and structural properties and characteristics than conventional wooden parts, and which also lends itself better to mass production with reduced labor requirements.

Further objects involve the use of rotating parts of varied sizes in a single device, so arranged or assembled as to give very attractive visual effects and patterns, superior to those obtained by use of prior art devices. Still another object is to reduce cost of assembly and avoid the expense and labor of using a separate pin, tack or nail, or the like, for mounting the rotatable element. The invention makes it possible and convenient to mount several wheels or rotating devices on a single stick or support without use of any tacks, nails, etc.

Still another object is to combine auxiliary display elements which add to the display effect while not objectionably increasing cost.

These and other objects, and the specific means for obtaining them will become apparent as a detailed description of one embodiment of the invention is given, in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Referring now to the drawings which accompany this specification, FIGURE 1 shows a typical device embodying the invention. FIGURE 2 shows a modification, with certain parts being shown in section, of the pin-wheel support, etc. being generally similar to the device of FIG- URE 1. 7

FIGURE 3 is an end view taken from the right of the structure in FIGURE 2.

The display device consists essentially of a main support element in the form of a round stick 11 bearing a series of notches 13 and bearing a plurality or series of grooves 15 near one end shown at the right in FIGURE 1. The stick 11 is not made of wood, but in the preferred form is made of fine grained fiber, preferably laminated paper. The stick shown is formed by rolling paper into a firm body with suitable adhesive in the respective con volutions. Sticks of this kind are readily available, and are currently made in quantity at very low cost for various purposes. A stick about inch in diameter is highly suitable, although the size can be somewhat smaller or considerably larger, if desired. Use for this purpose requires a fairly strong material because the stick is to be notched, as indicated at 13, so that a rubbing device, for imparting energy impulses, such as another stick 21 having a slightly reduced portion 23 which more or less fits the notches 13 can be run over them. This action provides the impulse generating energy. In use, as is well known, an operator holds the stick 11 by its left end in one hand and, grasping the stick 21 in the other hand, rubs the slightly reduced portion 23 thereof across the notches 13 in fairly rapid succession. The stick 21 has shoulder elements 25 and 27 at the ends of the rubbing section 23. These are known in the art, being particularly mentioned in a copending application of Dyer et al., Ser. No. 411,499 filed Nov. 16, 1964.

The shoulders 25 and 27 ride against the side of stick 11 and thus provide means by which the direction of rotation of pin-wheels or propeller devices 30 and 32 may be controlled. When the portion 23 is rubbed over the notches with shoulder 27 running along one side of the stick 11, the impulses imparted to the supporting stick 11 are so controlled and directed that the pin-wheels will rotate generally in a certain direction. With the same kind of motion, but holding the shoulder against the other side of stick 11, the direction of rotation of the wheels normally will be reversed. By rubbing the middle part of section 23, taking care to avoid contact with either shoulder, plural spinners may be caused to rotate in opposite directions simultaneously.

To add to the effectiveness of the device as a display or attention catching item, a small figure, e.g., of an animall 33 is mounted on stick 11, e.g., adhesively. This figure bears a support for a pin-wheel such as a tail 35, having an enlarged collar or annular body 37' mounted thereon. A small pin-wheel or propeller 39 is mounted on it. Rotation will be imparted to this device as well as to elements and 32 when the stick 21 is rubbed over notches 13.

The main pin-wheels 30 and 32 are mounted in annular grooves which are formed in the body of stick 11. The stick 11 is reduced in diameter at these points so openings 36, 38 in the centers of the pin-wheels 30 and 32, respectively, permit free turning on stick 11. These pin-wheels are preferably made of material which has some inherent elasticity so that they can be snapped over enlarged end portions and intermediate enlarged ribs and 42, on stick 11 and then ride freely in the annular grooves 15. See FIGURE 2 for example. This arrangement is such that the pin-wheels will normally be retained in place. They must be forced over the lands or large portions by slight stretching of their material.

As indicated above, it is important that the stick 11 be made of a material or have a smooth and round surface which can be readily and neatly imprinted. An indication of such printing is shown in 46, 47, FIGURE 2. Also, the material should be one which can be notched neatly and cleanly by a grinding wheel, or equivalent, as indicated at 13 in FIGURE 1, and in which annular grooves 15 can readily be made by simple cutting, turning or grinding operations.

Another feature of the present invention is the way in which extremely attractive and interesting patterns can be produced by mounting multiple wheels, preferably of different sizes, with differential rotation speeds. Referring to FIGURE 2, three such wheels are shown, being indicated at 70, 72 and 74, respectively. These are shown also in FIGURE 3. Rotation of these individual wheels is quite independent, and depends somewhat on their mass and on the vigor with which driving energy is applied to the support, as by rubbing the stick 21 across notches 13. Preferably, the three pin-wheels shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, or the two shown in FIGURE 1, are made of different colored materials as well as being preferably of different sizes. With this arrangement, depending on the energy imparted and the way in which one or the other of shoulders 25 or 27 is held against the sides of the support stick 13, directional characteristics may be given to individual wheels so that, with a littlepractice, one or more of the wheels may operate in opposite directions to others. In any case, they may readily be operated at slightly different speeds, or at greatly different speeds, depending on the whims of the operator. It will be understood that while two wheels are shown in FIGURE 1 and three in FIGURES 2 and 3, the number may be greater if desired.

By reasons of the different masses and the moments of inertia of the several wheels, they may, with a little practice, be caused to rotate so as to give slowly or rapidly developing and varying stroboscopic effects as desired. The whole effect is quite sensational and becomes spectacular with skilled operation.

When the device is operated by one who has a little practice, the pin-wheel 39 on the animals tail, for example, also rotates rapidly in one direction or the other, as

4 desired. Wheels 70, 72 and 74, FIGURE 2, may rotate in the same or different directions, and all sorts of attractive visual effects with various colors and degrees of shading by combinations of colors can be produced. By forming openings suitably spaced apart in the various wheels and by notching them, as indicated at 82, providing spaced points 84, etc., very interesting patterns can readily be produced, all with simple and inexpensive materials.

The pin-wheels themselves may be made of various materials, but are preferably formed of light sheets of plastic material. Paper, of course, may be used but the material should be of such resiliency and elasticity that it can be stretched over the lands and snapped into the grooves on stick 11, remaining there without tearing and without coming off or being displaced while the device is in operation.

Obviously, the design as well as the number of pinwheels may be varied, but it is desirable to have at least two and preferably three or more, and open patterns are preferred for attractive visual effects. The individual moving parts may be made of highly colored materials, including the little figure of animal 33, which can be in the form of a monkey, pig, horse, bear, or any other animal, or any imaginative design desired.

The small pin-wheel 39 as well as its supporting figure adds considerably to the attractiveness of the device. As shown, wheel 39 is simply dropped over the tail of the little animal, but if desired the tail or equivalent support may be provided with a wheel holding notch analogous to the notches 15 in the main support stick so that the wheel will remain in place unless forcibly displaced.

A feature which is to be emphasized is that mentioned briefly above, wherein the effective cross-section of body 23 of stick 21 fits rather neatly into each of the notches 13 as it runs over them. With this arrangement the impulse energy imparted to the stick is multiplied several fold over that obtained when these notches are simply cut as V-notches or without regard to the shape or cross-section of the rubbing stick. The notches are preferably arcuate in form, and the stick which fits into them is preferably round and approximately the same radius as the arcs. However, a stick of other shape might be used if the notches are cut or otherwise formed to fit it reasonably well. The improvement in impulsive energy obtained in this manner is quite astonishing, making the attractiveness and mechanical activity of the display very striking as compared to prior art devices.

It will be understood that various other modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention. It is intended, by the claims which follow, to cover such variations and modifications as broadly as the prior art properly permits.

What is claimed is:

1. A display device comprising a mounting stick of laminated fibrous material having a smooth and readily print-able outer surface and of sufficient strength to withstand substantial mechanical shock, said stick bearing a series of notches to receive a rubbing device and thus impart impulsive energy thereto, said stick also being provided with a plurality of annular grooves, a plurality of pin-wheels mounted individually in said annular grooves and freely rotatable therein, but normally not displaceable therefrom without application of substantial force.

2. A pin-wheel device comprising an accurately round stick having a readily printable paper surface, said stick being provided along one side with a series of impulse generating notches, and also with a plurality of spaced annular grooves, and a plurality of rotatable wheel elements resiliently snapped into said grooves and riding freely therein for unobstructed rotation about the axis of said stick.

3. A device as in claim 2 which is combined with an operating rubbing stick sized and shaped to fit neatly into said notches.

3,382,605 5 6 4. A device as in claim 1 wherein a small figure is at- References Cited tached to said stick and provided with an additional freely rotatable Pinwheel. UNITED STATES PATENTS 5. A device as in claim 1 wherein the pin-wheels on the 706,918 8/ 1902 Fitzpatrick 46-47 suck are of 9 5 1,590,573 6/1926 Frye et a1. 46-47 6. A device as in claim 1 wherem the pin-wheels are 2 993 296 7/1961 Saastamo of different sizes.

7. A device as in claim 1 wherein the pin-Wheels are of LOUIS G M ANCENE Primary Examiner different sizes and colors to give striking stroboscopie effects. 10 R. F. CUTTING, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DISPLAY DEVICE COMPRISING A MOUNTING STICK OF LAMINATED FIBROUS MATERIAL HAVING A SMOOTH AND READILY PRINTABLE OUTER SURFACE AND OF SUFFICIENT STRENGTH TO WITHSTAND SUBSTANTIAL MECHANICAL SHOCK, SAID STICK BEARING A SERIES OF NOTCHES TO RECEIVE A RUBBING DEVICE AND THUS IMPART IMPULSIVE ENERGY THERETO, SAID STICK ALSO BEING PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF ANNULAR GROOVES, A PLURALITY OF PIN-WHEELS MOUNTED INDIVIDUALLY IN SAID ANNULAR GROOVES AND FREELY ROTATABLE THEREIN, BUT NORMALLY NOT DISPLACEABLE THEREFROM WITHOUT APPLICATION OF SUBSTANTIAL FORCE. 